UNCONDITIONAL LOVE

November 9, 2012

What is true unconditional love?
What does it mean to love someone the way Jesus commanded us to? 
How can we possibly understand the Love of God if we ourselves do not love others?

I am no stranger to experiencing unconditional or conditional love in my life.  Conditional love is contingent upon certain factors taking place or not taking place.  For instance, if you tell someone "I will disown you if you [do such and such]" or "I will not love you anymore if you [do such and such]", then those things are conditional and not true unconditional love. 

However, there is nothing wrong with setting boundaries as to what you will or will not put up with.  And, with those boundaries become consequences.  Enabling someone's addiction or bad habit is not showing love at all.  In fact, it is the opposite.  If we do anything to cause someone else to stumble, then we are also guilty of sin ourselves. 

But, you truly cannot stop loving someone, if you ever really loved them unconditionally.  Even through something as painful as divorce or abuse, you may despise what someone did, but if you ever really loved them, it will always be there inside you a little.  We are all brothers and sisters in Christ, even if we dislike someone.  You don't have to like them to love them.  At least, not the God-kind of love.

Also, think about your child or children.  The moment they come into this world, you wrap your arms around them and your heart goes "out the window" - you know that, beyond a shadow of a doubt, you will love that child till the day you die - no matter what.  You would die for that child.  You would sacrifice anything to make sure that child is safe.  I believe that is instilled in us by God through His Holy Spirit, so that we may know the kind of love He has for us.  And, no matter how hard we try, we can never fully comprehend the Love of God. 

So, how can any of us be sure we truly love someone unconditionally without being an enabler or allowing sin in our homes?  First of all, especially mothers (and I am a mother of 3 young men), you must set the boundaries for your household - write it down or just keep it in your mind - things to allow and not allow - for instance, in my household, I would never agree to go buy cigarettes or alcohol for someone who is an addict.  In fact, smoking or getting drunk is not allowed at all - and, that goes for other things too, like cursing, drugs and porn.  If you allow it in your house, then you are allowing that sin to dwell in your house and you are accountable to God for that.  Your house is God's house - not just yours.  Also, once you let that sin come in, it is almost impossible to get it out of your house.  Trust me, I know.  You are also opening up the opportunity for other things to enter in like abuse and violence.  Set your boundaries for your household and stick to it. 

Another example, if you have a family member or child who gets arrested for a crime that they did commit - like possession or fighting - then don't bail them out.  I set the rule in my house when my boys were teens that, if they were ever arrested, they better be ready to spend the night in jail.  I will never bail you out.  Now if it is something circumstantial and they were innocent, then you can make the call as to whether to help them get a lawyer or not.  But, if they do the crime, they need to do the time.  That way, they can learn from their mistakes.  Yes, you can be emotional support for them, visit them and pray for them - show them you love them - but enabling them will not help at all.  I am very thankful to say I never got that phone call.

This goes for other things also - if you do anything that makes someone else sin, then you are guilty in God's eyes of sinning also.  Let's say, you take a friend out for dinner.  And, your friend is a recovering alcoholic, but you order a beer for yourself.  That would be very wrong.  Your action could cause your friend to stumble, and God will hold you accountable for that.  So, be considerate of others. 

We should always be kind and loving to one another - people do watch what you do and say, even if you don't know it.  If you are at work and you gossip and cut down other people, then you are opening up the opportunity for others to do the same. 

We cannot "not" sin - because we are born with sin in us because of the "fall", but we can be mindful of what we do and say and try to do our best.  If you find out that you did or said something to cause hurt to someone or cause them to sin, then first, ask God to forgive you and then try to help the other person if you can.  And, of course, pray for them.

The ultimate unconditional love is what Jesus did for us on the Cross.  No one can top that.  But, Jesus did command us to love one another and we should try our best to be a good light for Jesus.  What we say and do reflects on HIM.  How can others want to know more about the love of Jesus if we are filled with bitterness, hate, resentment, despair and sinfulness?

LORD JESUS, YOU ARE SO WONDERFUL AND PERFECT AND POWERFUL.  YOU ARE WITHOUT SIN.  I AM NOT.  I STUMBLE.  I FALL.  I FAIL.  I TRY TO DO BETTER.  PLEASE FILL ME WITH YOUR HOLY SPIRIT AND SHOW ME WHERE I DO WRONG SO I CAN DO BETTER.  THANK YOU FOR YOUR LOVING KINDNESS, FORGIVENESS AND MERCY, MOST WONDERFUL LORD AND SAVIOR.  AMEN.

John 3:16 (NIV)(16) For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 13:34-35 (NIV)

(34) "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

(35) By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Romans 12:9-11 (NIV)

(9)Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.

(10) Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.

(11) Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

Ephesians 4:1-3 (NIV)(1) As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.

(2) Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

(3) Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

1 Thessalonians 4:9 (NIV)

(9) Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other.

FREEDOM

 

November 6, 2012

We are blessed to have many freedoms in this country, especially the right to vote…but be careful in the choice you make and consider how it will affect the poor and weak.  We all have different views on what is best for our Country.  And, that is good.  Different views from different people. 

I will not give sides or tell how I vote, only provide the scripture references on Freedom...exercise your right to vote...you never know when those rights will be taken away.

Remember this, though...the only true freedom we have is freedom from our sins through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  All other freedoms are temporary on this earth.

May God bless all of HIS children!

I Corinthians 8:9Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak.

1 Corinthians 10:23-24
23 “Everything is permissible”—but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible”—but not everything is constructive. 24 Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.

GOD-DUTY! (Sept 9, 2012)

On Sunday, 09/09/12, had the wonderful privilege to minister again at the Colorado State Veterans Home and at Cottonwood Care Center in Colorado.  Lots of hugs and prayers were given and received.  Seeing them after such a long time was quite emotional. 

At the Vets Home, the hallways are lined with dozens of war memorabilia from different wars - I met several residents who fought in the Korean War.  What a blessing!  Can't say enough about that.

At Cottonwood Care Center, I was blessed to see some of the same residents who call me "Pastor Jan" and met some new folks.  Also was sad to see that 2 of my regulars had passed away - not sad for them, for they are with the Lord, but sad because I will miss them.

Here are a few photos.

I AM WEAK BUT HE IS STRONG!

August 17, 2012

I AM WEAK BUT HE IS STRONG!

So far, this year has been very eventful and humbling.  First, I moved to a new home.  Well, not so new, it's an older 70's model home that needs some work.  I am still not unpacked and organized, as I am sure most people can relate.  But, I am very thankful and blessed.  It is the first and only home I have ever purchased on my own - that is, by myself, without a husband or any help from anyone else.  Being divorced means being on my own, relying on no one else but myself and, of course, JESUS.  I truly relied on JESUS to be my provider, and HE provided.  Thanks be to the Lord God Almighty for all the blessings you have bestowed upon me!

On another note, I had a major attack of an immune system illness which left me unable to pastor or minister at the nursing homes or hospitals for a few months.  The doctors and specialists have said that my compromised immune system caused my body to shut down.  The doctors are sure that the traumatic emotional stress from my divorce was a high contributer.  They are keeping an eye on my blood levels and immune system levels to make sure they don't fall into the danger zone.  As for an official diagnosis - it is an "undiagnosed immune deficiency disorder".  In layman's terms - they ain't gotta clue!  But that doesn't worry me, because my LORD has a clue - and HE will take care of me.

With a lot of rest and prayer (believe me, a lot of prayer - well, with some whining also) all is back on track now - I am feeling great and going back to the nursing homes in a few weeks - YES, I am ready to serve my LORD at the nursing homes and hospitals with gladness!  Although, I never stopped "serving" GOD completely, just not at the nursing homes or hospitals.  I have had many opportunities to minister when GOD opened the doors for me.  Again, thank you my dear LORD and SAVIOR for providing for me and continuing to use me while in my physical distress.

While settling in to my humble little home and trying to recover from illness (and continuing to work at my full time secular job at a law firm), I had some time to reflect on my own humanity.  Working hard to try to serve my LORD and work full time took its toll on my human, yet frail body, and it almost shut down.  Going through a traumatic divorce didn't help either.  It has been 2 years since we split and it still wears me down.  Believe me folks, pastors and ministers are not immune to marital problems.  My ex-husband was a pastor also, for over 25 years, and that didn't make us the perfect couple, did it.  No excuses.  Just epic fail.  Now, with the LORD's mercy and forgiveness, it's time to move on.

I realized very quickly that I am not perfect - I am not super-human - I cannot do everything.  As a result, I was humbled.  I spent most of my time praying and talking to GOD, studying His Word, leaning on family and friends, and relying upon HIM for help and healing. 

Stress really can kill you, folks.  It almost killed me.  My immune system was to a dangerous "near fatal" level, and it almost got me.  Mine was 90% divorce-related, but nevertheless, any kind of traumatic stress can cause your body to fall apart.  It has taken me 2 years to recover.  For some, it takes longer.  For others, less.  Each person is different.  I am over 50 years old now, so age had a part to play in it.

PRAISE THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY for being my strength when I was weak and weary and for holding me up when I could not hold myself up!

It is my hope and prayer that anyone who reads this will learn from what happened to me and LEAN on GOD for everything that comes your way.  Be prepared for attacks from the devil.  If I did not have JESUS, I know beyond a doubt that I would not be alive today.  HIS strength kept me going.  HIS love kept me alive.  HIS grace and mercy healed me and renewed me.

OH, GRACIOUS FATHER IN HEAVEN, WONDERFUL HOLY SPIRIT, PRECIOUS LORD JESUS, THE ONLY TRIUNE GOD, THE ONLY TRUE GOD OF THE UNIVERSE, I BOW DOWN BEFORE YOU IN HUMBLE ADORATION AT YOUR LOVING KINDESS AND MERCY.  YOU HAVE SHOWN ME GRACE AND MERCY WHEN I DID NOT DESERVE IT.  YOU GAVE ME LOVE AND HEALING WHEN I NEEDED TO BE HEALED AND NEEDED TO BE COMFORTED.  I HUMBLY PRAY THAT YOU REACH OUT TO ALL WHO ARE IN NEED AND GIVE THEM THE LOVE AND HOPE THAT THEY NEED IN THEIR TIMES OF DISTRESS AND HOPELESSNESS.  I AM FOREVER YOUR HUMBLE SERVANT.  HOLY BE YOUR NAME FOREVER, AMEN.


1 Chronicles 16:11

New International Version (NIV)

¹¹ Look to the Lord and his strength;
    seek his face always.

Psalm 18:32New International Version (NIV)

³² It is God who arms me with strength
    and keeps my way secure.

Psalm 22:19

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁹ But you, Lord, do not be far from me.
    You are my strength; come quickly to help me.

Romans 8:26

New International Version (NIV)

²⁶ In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.

2 Corinthians 12:10

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁰ That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.